Our brand new show, Your Brain On, is now live! Your Brain On is a podcast about the neuroscience of everything. Each episode will look at an aspect of life through a neuroscientific lens, with science-based stories, interviews, anecdotes, advice, and immersive sounds. We’ll be exploring how every facet of our reality — both good and bad — affects our minds, from the broader picture right down to the cellular intricacies. We’ve started with five brand new episodes: • Your Brain On New...

What happens to your brain when you stop drinking? Is doing Dry January the best way to quit? In this second preview episode of Your Brain On, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • How alcohol affects your brain, at a cellular level • Why a gradual detoxification might be better than the hard stop encouraged by Dry January • The fascinating history of alcohol’s role in culture, from ancient civilizations to the Prohibition era We also speak to Dr. Howard Rankin, an incredible...

On New Year’s Eve, we experience feelings of joy, sadness, thankfulness, regret, and nostalgia, as our brains recall episodic moments from the past 12 months. Surges of dopamine mix with our aspirations, forming resolutions. As we count down to the new year, we’re full of excitement and hope. But most of us don’t manage to stick to our new year’s resolutions beyond January. In this episode of Your Brain On, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • Why new year’s resolutions so...

In this episode, we’re joined by science writer and author of ‘The Irrational Ape — Why We Fall for Disinformation, Conspiracy Theories, and Propaganda’, David Robert Grimes, for a discussion about science communication and the unrelenting rise of misinformation on social media. We talk about: • The dangers and mechanics of online disinformation • Why, in spite of rampant mistruths, social media remains one of the most powerful tools in history for science communication • How to navigate...

In this episode, we’re joined by renowned psychologist Dr. David Spiegel — co-founder and chief scientific officer of science-backed hypnosis app Reveri — for a discussion about the use of hypnosis and hypnotherapy in clinical settings. We talk about: • The research-supported neuroscience of hypnosis • How hypnosis can help focus your attention and hone self-control, rather than causing you to lose control, as is often misconstrued by the spectacle of theatrical stage shows • The ways...

In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked importance of addressing behavior change for improving brain health and overall wellbeing, and how we need to involve our communities at every step of change towards such optimizations. We talk about: • The neuroscience and circumstantial influences of behavior change • The importance of meeting people where they are and adjusting behavior change strategies accordingly • How to strategize self-improvement without it feeling cold, rigid,...

In this episode, Ayesha and Dean discuss ‘neuroplasticity’, a term that was once echoed only within the walls of neuroscience labs, but which has now become an increasingly well-known word for describing how our brains evolve and adapt. We talk about: • How modern technology has enabled our understanding of neuroplasticity • What science previously got wrong about neuroplasticity • How neuroplasticity actually works • The Hebbian and homeostatic theories of neuroplasticity • How we can...

This episode was a live presentation for our members in the NEURO Academy online community. We presented a summary of the pivotal role that lifestyle changes play in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and answered questions at the end.  The research presented was on the following: Dietary patterns and risk of Alzheimer's Relationship of serum cholesterol and Alzheimer's  Supplements and brain health DHA/EPA and Alzheimer's risk Exercise Unwind or stress management and the latest data...

In this episode, we spoke with Nicole Vignola, who is a cognitive neuroscientist, author and speaker committed to making neuroscience tangible for the masses. With 12 years of coaching experience, Nicole has a BSc in Neuroscience from the University of Bristol and an MSc in Organisational Psychology with a research focus in cognitive neuroscience. She works with organisations and individuals to teach them how to better understand their unique physiology, providing them with practical tools...

In this episode In this illuminating episode, we dive deep into the world of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly prescribed medications for heartburn and acid reflux. While these drugs have brought relief to millions worldwide, recent studies have begun to uncover potential links between PPI use and an increased risk of dementia. We explore the mechanisms that might underlie this association, the clinical implications for patients, and the broader question of how seemingly unrelated...

In this episode, we dive deep into the recent, much anticipated randomized controlled trial on the MIND diet. The headlines were ablaze with the dissapointing, less-than-stellar results of the study, but was it truly the diet that didn't work as well as it should have, or was the methodology flawed?  We discussed the background of the findings on the MIND diet in previous studies and its effect on cognitive health, the detailed methodology of the current randomized controlled trial, its...

In this episode, we delve deep into the role fats play in brain health. We bust some common myths about dietary fats and talked about the latest scientific evidence to paint a clearer picture of how these essential nutrients contribute to our cognitive function. Episode Highlights: Understanding Fats: We start by breaking down what fats are, discussing their diverse types and functions. We’ll explain saturated, unsaturated, trans, and essential fatty acids and why they matter. Brain...

In this episode, we explore the connection between hormone replacement therapy and dementia risk, the impact of hormones on brain development and resilience throughout life, and the critical considerations for individuals undergoing pre- and post-menopause in terms of brain health. Specifically, we delve into a recent scientific article suggesting that menopausal hormone replacement therapy heightens the risk of dementia in a Danish population. We illuminate the intricate relationship...

This episode is part of a live recording for our NEURO Academy community, and the topic of the discussion is the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease, in particular a deep dive into Apolipoprotein E4 or APOE4 gene, which is the most influential genetic risk factor associated with Late Onset Alzheimers Disease.  We describe the evolutionary aspects of Apolipoproteins, how they are produced, how the different isoforms of apoe influence the different factors leading to AD, how it effects lipid...

We’re thrilled to share our conversation with our guest on today’s episode, Kimberley Wilson, PhD. She is a highly respected psychologist, author, and expert in the field of mental health and nutrition, and in this episode, she shares her insights on how to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of social media and stay away from false information related to nutrition and mental health. Kimberey is the author of  How to Build a Healthy Brain published in 2020 and Unprocessed: How the Food We...

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we discuss the latest breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. In today's episode, we discussed the new monoclonal antibidy, Donanemab, that is offering hope to Alzheimer's patients and their families, and how Donanemab is different from other treatments. Donanemab is a monoclonal antibody that has shown promising results in clinical trials. It works by targeting a protein called amyloid-beta, which is believed to play a...

This episode is a conversation with the New York Times bestselling author and neuroscientist, Lisa Genova. Her debut novel Still Alice about a Harvard University professor who suffers early onset Alzheimer's disease sold millions of copies and has been translated into 37 languages. The book was adapted into a film in 2014 and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Julianne Moore's highly acclaimed performance as Alice Howland. Her first work of nonfiction, REMEMBER: The Science of...

This episode is a deep dive into the topic of headache with our colleague, an expert in the field of headache medicine, Dr. Chelsea Stone. We explored the definition, classification, general presentation, diagnosis and some of the latest treatments available for headaches.  Dr. Stone is a board-certified neurologist with specialty in Headache Medicine. She holds a master’s degree in psychology, completed her neurology residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center and fellowship in...

In this episode, we discuss epilepsy and describe the life of the 19th century philosopher and writer, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and how the seizures that tormented him throughout his life would become both a source of creative inspiration and an obstacle that he struggled to overcome. You can read the blog by visiting our website here. Follow us: Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Follow us on social media: Instagram: The Brain Docs @thebraindocs Facebook: The Brain Docs TikTok:...

In this episode, we explore Parkinson's disease (PD), which is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder of aging after Alzheimer's disease, and the most common movement disorder. It affects approximately 1 million people in the United States, and it is estimated that 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Worldwide more than 10 million people suffer from PD.  We described the disease in a patient story, discussed its epidemiology, causal pathways including genetics, signs and...

This episode is an in depth review of Multiple Sclerosis, The most common neurological disorder among young adults. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system and is one of the most common conditions that is addressed in the field of neurology. Despite the advances in medicine and the emergence of tools to help with diagnosis, it is one of the most common conditions that is misdiagnosed because of its highly variable expression and findings. This can create a...

This episode was part of a live discussion for members in NEURO Academy. We discussed brain injuries and concussion, and expanded on their definitions, classification, presentation, signs and symptoms, management and treatment. NEURO Academy is a membership based online environment where you’ll have access to resources to achieve optimal health, a better, sharper memory, and prevent cognitive decline. The platform provides the opportunity to connect with us and an empowering community and...

This episode was part of a live discussion in the Science Club of the NEURO Academy. We discussed the recent article that showed an association between laxative intake and dementia, and critically analzed the methodology and the results for the audience. We then answered their questions.  Reference: Feng, J., Zheng, N., Fan, X., Li, S., Jiang, Y., Yi, X., & Yang, H. (2023). Association of laxatives use with incident dementia and modifying effect of genetic susceptibility: a...

Our guest for this episode is Erin Sharoni, who is a Master of Bioethics degree candidate (‘23) at Harvard Medical School and a seasoned biotechnology executive with expertise in longevity, epigenetics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). We discussed the incredibly important value of ethics in the field of AI, and explored the reasons why at this most pivotal of times in human history, there hasn't been enough conversations around this subject.  Erin has over 15 years of experience building...